Eastmincom chief calls on Reds to yield 'while there's chance'

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 15, 2019): Eastmincom chief calls on Reds to yield 'while there's chance'

In what appears to be his Valentine’s Day message to communist rebels, the Eastern Mindanao Command chief called on members of the New People's Army (NPA) to surrender while there is still a chance for them to live normal lives.

Maj. General Felimon Santos made the call on Thursday following the surrender of two NPA regulars in New Baguio, Makilala, North Cotabato on Wednesday.

According to Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, battalion commander of the Army's 39IB, the NPA surrenderers were suffering fatigue because of the relentless pursuit operations against the communist rebels who engaged government troops on February 8 in Makilala town.

They also surrendered three M14 Rifles, one M16 Rifle, an improvised Bushmaster, two rifle grenades, an improvised explosive device, various types of ammunition, landmine equipment, and propaganda materials

Santos also lauded the contribution of community members who facilitated the surrender of the two NPAs.

"We call on our peace-loving communities to continue to assist and help our units by facilitating those NPAs who want to surrender and be part in our quest for durable peace which everyone is longing for," Santos said.

Eastmincom has already received 938 regular members of the NPA through its various field units.

Based on its records, Eastmincom also received a total of 1,217 Militia ng Bayan members and 434 Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad--NPA's community-based support groups--and 8,932 mass supporters, from January 2018 to early February this year.

Col. Ezra Balagtey said the NPA surrenderers cited disillusionment with the rebel group, community pressure, government peace efforts, sustained military operations, as well as the sustained call of President Rodrigo Duterte to give up rebellion and rejoin the mainstream society.

NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061955